North Kitsap Herald

Support is growing for Poulsbo Music Festival

Brian Germain and Down to Three are one of four groups scheduled to perform Sept. 7 at the Poulsbo Music Festival, a benefit for the Poulsbo Fire Department. / Courtesy Down to Three

POULSBO — Poulsbo Fire Chief Jeff Griffin has been in fire service for 33 years. In that time, he never thought he’d someday team up with “a bunch of rock ’n’ roll gods” to promote and raise money for fire safety.

Those “rock ’n’ roll gods,” as he put it, will perform at the Poulsbo Music Festival, a benefit for the Poulsbo Fire Department, and could include pioneer rock keyboardist Goldy McJohn of Mynah Birds and Steppenwolf fame; festival organizer Glen Bui said Tuesday that McJohn’s performance was likely, but in the event of a schedule conflict he would be relieved by Bob Kelly of the Kingsmen (“Louie, Louie”).

With or without McJohn, festival attendees will get a musical treat: A free concert featuring Ghostlight, an Enumclaw R&B band; Down To Three, a classic-rock group comprised of firefighters; Sin Circus, four metal wunderkinds from Puyallup; and Born To Be Wild, which includes former members of Steppenwolf.

(By the way, Griffin is a Steppenwolf fan; his favorite song is “Born to be Wild”).

The Poulsbo Music Festival is Sept. 7, 2-7 p.m., at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. Admission is free, but all donations and sponsorship funds will benefit the Poulsbo Fire Department. The department will use the money to buy a thermal imaging camera and fund an expanded CPR training program for the public.

You’d better show up at 2 p.m. and stay through the show, because you never know when Born To Be Wild may take the stage. Pitch a blanket and bring a picnic lunch or dinner. No alcohol.

Bui said the concert could raise $10,000 for the fire department. Attendees can donate (checks accepted) at the concert.

Acupuncture and Wellness Center donated $500 to the fire department and for a limited time is donating half the proceeds from treatments to the fire department.

Kingston Wellness Center will have a booth at the concert and will donate all proceeds from the day to the fire department.

“We’re getting a lot of support,” Bui said. “A great team of people have gotten together and they’re out in the community. This is a team effort. And it’s all about saving lives.”

Indeed. Griffin said residents knowing CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — is critical to the survival of someone who’s had a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Griffin said CPR must begin within 4 to 6 minutes to maintain blood circulation and prevent permanent tissue damage.

“If we could increase our number of classes and certify 100 people a year in CPR, that would be great. It would absolutely have impact,” Griffin said.

The Poulsbo Fire Department will have a strong presence at the concert. “We’re going to teach CPR and we’ll have a firetruck there and provide tours,” Griffin said. “Children will be able to take a look at the equipment and rig. There will be lots of volunteers and on-duty people there to add to all the fun.”

COMING UP: Born To Be Wild and Goldy McJohn will perform Oct. 21 at the Where Has Love Gone Benefit Concert and Silent Auction at Vessel Winery in Woodinville. The event is a benefit for Destiny House, which assists victims of human trafficking.

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AT A GLANCE— What: Poulsbo Music Festival, a fundraiser for the Poulsbo Fire Department.— When: Sept. 7, 2-7 p.m.— Where: Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, on the downtown Poulsbo waterfront.— Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted for the fire department.— Features: Classic rock music performances by Ghostlight, Down to Three, Sin Circus, Born To Be Wild. Also, children’s activities, CPR training, fire truck tours.